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US Army Seeks Unmanned Ground Vehicle for “Last Tactical Mile”

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026

Researching for a presentation I gave last summer at the National Defense Industrial Association Future Forces Conferences on robotics and drones I realized that while the US Army is working diligently to field drones in large numbers, it’s just a drop in the bucket once they figure out how many ground robotic systems they’ll need. To illustrate my point I explained that at the time, the US Army had an inventory of around 3,900 aircraft and 700 enduring capability drones. Meanwhile, there were ~420,000 ground vehicles making it about 11:1 ground to air systems. I expect we’ll see a similar ratio of ground to air robotics once the capability fully settles into the enterprise and those ground robots will take many forms and perform many duties. This capability is just the beginning.

According to a Special Notice released last week, Capability Program Executive (CPE) Mission Autonomy is actively pursuing a UGV designed to autonomously support maneuver formations in the critical “last tactical mile”. This advanced UGV, owned by maneuver formations, will both sustain Platoon and Company formations by delivering essential supplies/energy and will evacuate wounded personnel from the point of injury to a casualty collection point. This dual use UGV shall feature a configurable payload to meet the dynamic needs of maneuver formations.

The UGV must be capable of teleoperation, autonomous navigation, and beyond-line-of-sight communications, and execute resupply and CASEVAC missions with minimal reconfiguration.

The modern battlefield is characterized by persistent enemy surveillance and rapid application of lethal effects at and behind the forward line of troops (FLOT), making any movement to and from the FLOT highly vulnerable. This environment challenges commanders’ ability to resupply units and evacuate casualties. The Army refers to the critical distance between the FLOT and supported units as the “Last Tactical Mile” – the final segment of ground over which supplies, equipment, or personnel must be moved under the greatest threat from enemy observation and fires. This phase is often the most dangerous and logistically complex, requiring innovative solutions to ensure mission success and force protection.

The UGV should be capable of supporting the sustainment needs of a dismounted Rifle Platoon or Company Headquarters for extended operations (reference ATP 5-0.2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1, Unclassified, for Battalion weight needs). It should be able to transport various classes of supply and operate autonomously across diverse terrains and environments, maintaining reliable communications with supported units. The UGV should be able to navigate both on- and off-road routes, including areas without GPS, and support situational awareness. It should minimize detectable signatures and emissions during operations, including in the final approach to supported units.

The UGV should be capable of being reconfigured by the maneuver unit for multiple roles, including casualty evacuation. It should be able to autonomously transport at least two (2) casualties from the point of injury to a designated collection point, without causing additional harm to the patient. The cargo area should be modular and provide accessible power and data connections.

The UGV must support integration and collaboration within networked operational environments and be interoperable with current and future command and control systems. The solution must provide open and exposed APIs for integration with common control and mission autonomy applications.

Interested parties have until 28 April to respond. Learn more at www.sam.gov

Photo above: A Hunter Wolf unmanned ground vehicle assigned to Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), holds a steady overwatch position with a mounted remote operated .50-caliber machine gun during a combat simulation exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, April 13, 2026. (US Army photo by MSG Anthony Hewitt)

Posted in Army, Mobility, Robotics | 1 Comment »

US Army Announces New Combat Field Test to Enhance Soldier Readiness

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army today announced the implementation of the new Combat Field Test (CFT), a major update to its physical readiness program designed to align fitness standards with the demanding realities of modern combat.

Implementation will begin in April 2026. The CFT is required annually for active-duty Soldiers serving in 24 designated combat military occupational specialties.

“The Combat Field Test is a critical step forward in ensuring our Soldiers serving in the most physically demanding specialties have the specific fitness required to dominate on the modern battlefield,” said the Secretary of the Army Hon. Dan Driscoll. “This is about readiness, lethality, and the well-being of our Soldiers.”

The CFT does not replace the Army Fitness Test. Combat specialty Soldiers in the Regular Army and Reserve Component on active-duty orders will be required to pass one of each test annually. All other Reserve Component Soldiers in combat specialties will take one fitness test per calendar year, alternating between the AFT and CFT.

The CFT is a seven-event sequence conducted continuously and scored on total time. Events include:

A one-mile run.

30 dead-stop push-ups.

A 100-meter sprint.

16 lifts of a 40-pound sandbag onto a 65-inch platform.

A 50-meter carry of two five-gallon Army water cans weighing 40 pounds each.

A 50-meter movement drill consisting of a 25-meter high crawl and a 25-meter 3-5 second rush.

A final one-mile run.

Soldiers must complete the test in 30 minutes or less while wearing the Army Combat Uniform, combat boots and a brown T-shirt, with no cover.

“This isn’t just about passing a test; it’s a direct measure of our commitment to readiness and ensuring our warfighters can dominate in any environment,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer. “We’re asking more of our combat arms Soldiers, and this test validates their ability to meet that high standard.”

To allow time for adaptation, no adverse administrative actions will be taken for failing the CFT during an initial 365-day diagnostic period for Regular Army and active-duty Reserve Component Soldiers, and a 730-day period for all other Reserve Component Soldiers. During this phase, Soldiers may request voluntary reclassification to a non-combat specialty if they determine they cannot meet the standard, allowing the Army to retain valuable talent.

The CFT establishes a single, mission-based standard aligned to the demands of combat to ensure readiness and lethality. All Soldiers in designated combat roles must meet the same passing criteria, regardless of age or sex.

The Army will provide support to Soldiers preparing for the CFT through command-led physical training programs, Holistic Health and Fitness resources, and a dedicated CFT microsite with additional guidance. For more information on the Combat Field Test, visit the Army Fitness Test website.

Via US Army Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Press Release, Profession of Arms, Warrior Athlete | 2 Comments »

101st ABN DIV (AA) Test TEWS-I Integration on Infantry Squad Vehicle at JRTC

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026

FORT POLK, La. — The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) took another major step toward Army transformation this month as Soldiers from the Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company (MFRC), 3rd Mobile Brigade, tested and trained for its first time with the Tactical Electronic Warfare System–Infantry (TEWS-I) integrated onto an Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) during a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation, April 7–17, 2026.

The integration marks a milestone for the Army and the Division: TEWS-I now mounted on the ISV, a lightweight, highly mobile platform designed for rapid air assault and distributed operations. According to General Dynamics Mission Systems, TEWS-I on the ISV creates a “middleweight” electronic warfare capability—more powerful than man-portable systems but lighter and faster than heavy vehicle platforms. F or Sgt. Javan Isaiah, an electronic warfare specialist (17E) and EW squad leader with the MFRC, the rotation was both a challenge and an opportunity.

“This was my first time using the system in the field,” said Isaiah. “We only had about three days of actual hands?on time before coming out here, so a lot of what we learned came from troubleshooting in real time.”

Despite limited preparation, Isaiah said his team adapted quickly.

“EW Soldiers are critical thinkers. We’re used to new systems coming at us fast,” he said. “We had to learn the ISV and the TEW-I at the same time, but we figured it out together.”

Traditionally, electronic warfare systems have been mounted on heavier vehicles. Integrating TEWS-I onto the ISV gives EW Soldier in light infantry units a new level of mobility and flexibility.

The ISV’s off-road agility allows EW teams to reach better collection sites faster, reposition quickly, and keep pace with maneuver forces. Isaiah said the difference was immediate:

“Mobility across the battlefield in this modified ISV was a game-changer compared to heavier vehicles,” he said. “We can be employed faster, we can air assault in with the ISV, and we can get to the right place at the right time.”

This directly supports the Army’s push toward mobile, distributed, multidomain formations, a concept the 101st has been helping test through initiatives like the Mobile Brigade Combat Team prototype and “Transformation in Contact.”

TEWS-I gives commanders the ability to detect, identify, locate, and disrupt enemy signals—capabilities that are increasingly essential in modern warfare.

“There are enemies we can’t see who live in the electronic battlespace,” said Isaiah. “Our job is to find them, understand what they’re doing, and give the commander options to stop them.”

He described how TEWS-I can locate enemy communications, direction find their location, and—when authorized—jam or degrade their ability to coordinate.

“If the enemy can’t talk, they can’t fight effectively,” he said. “That gives our infantry an advantage.” The 101st Airborne Division is known for speed, agility, and the ability to strike deep. Isaiah believes TEWS-I on the ISV strengthens that legacy.

“The TEWS-I lives up to the air assault name by being a quick deployable fighting force,” he said. “It helps us stay ahead of near-peer threats and operate in a multidomain environment.”

The system also supports the Army’s broader modernization goals, including integrating cyber, electronic warfare, unmanned systems, and sensing capabilities at lower echelons—an approach highlighted in the Army’s emerging multidomain effects formations.

For the 101st, the JRTC rotation demonstrated not just a new piece of equipment in their arsenal, but a new way of fighting—one that blends agility, sensing, and electronic attack into the fast-moving air assault formations the division is known for.

“We’re staying ahead of the learning curve,” Isaiah said. “That’s how we protect the force and stay lethal.”

Story by MSG Anthony Hewitt

101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Posted in Army, CEMA, EW, Guest Post | Comments Off on 101st ABN DIV (AA) Test TEWS-I Integration on Infantry Squad Vehicle at JRTC

Eyes in the Sky: How sUAS Training is Changing the Way Soldiers Fight

Tuesday, April 21st, 2026

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – In a classroom here, Soldiers learned that on today’s battlefield, even a small drone can present a serious threat. Through small unmanned aircraft systems training, they sharpened the skills needed to identify, report, and respond to emerging aerial dangers.

To increase readiness on an evolving battlefield, Mel Pilapil, an instructor with the U.S. Army Reserve Command Readiness Support Development Team, conducted several blocks of instruction on identifying and countering sUAS. Dozens of Soldiers assigned to the 302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and the 371st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion attended the training to improve their ability to identify and respond to sUAS on a modern battlefield.

As sUAS technology continues to evolve and spread rapidly, Soldiers must be prepared not only to use these systems, but to defend against them. Training focused on recognizing, mitigating, and responding to enemy drones is now essential to maintaining battlefield awareness, protecting personnel, and ensuring mission success. During the training, Soldiers were introduced to the various ways enemy forces can employ sUAS, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), direct and indirect attacks, swarm tactics, and electromagnetic warfare. Understanding these capabilities allows Soldiers to anticipate threats before they become immediate dangers.

Instruction also emphasized recognizing Low, Slow, Small (LSS) drone systems, including Group 1, 2, and 3 classifications. Soldiers learned to identify visual indicators such as rotor configuration, lighting, and potential payloads—critical details that improve reporting accuracy and response time.

Beyond identification, the training focused heavily on passive air defense techniques, teaching Soldiers how to reduce their visibility and vulnerability. Camouflage, dispersion, emission control, and avoiding predictable patterns were reinforced as key survival tactics in an environment where drones can quickly detect movement.

In one training scenario, Soldiers identified a simulated enemy drone entering the area of operations. Using the SALUTE reporting format, they communicated the size, activity, location, and characteristics of the threat, demonstrating how structured reporting supports faster decision-making and coordinated responses.

“This training is critical in today’s operational environment,” said instructor Mel Pilapil. “As we know currently, there are drones and drone attacks everywhere. The only way we can protect ourselves and others is by being aware of how to recognize, report, and react to these kinds of threats.”

For Soldiers preparing for future missions, the training reinforced how these skills directly impact survivability. “I think it’s important because it increases troop survivability in the battlefield and gives you insight on how to deal with drones and emerging situations,” said Pfc. Adam Li, a Soldier assigned to the 371st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, whose unit is scheduled to deploy in the future.

For many Soldiers, the training highlighted how quickly warfare is changing. Unlike traditional threats, sUAS systems are accessible, adaptable, and increasingly used by adversaries at all levels. What once required large-scale air support can now be achieved with a small, inexpensive drone, making awareness and preparation more important than ever.

As demonstrated during the training, sUAS can serve as both a powerful force multiplier and a significant threat on the battlefield. Their rapid advancement and widespread use over the past decade have transformed the way military operations are conducted.

There is no single solution to countering this threat. Instead, Soldiers must continuously train, adapt, and employ a combination of counter-sUAS tactics, techniques, and procedures. By doing so, they remain prepared to meet the challenges of modern warfare and maintain the advantage in an increasingly complex operational environment.

Story by SPC Nathan Starr

302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on Eyes in the Sky: How sUAS Training is Changing the Way Soldiers Fight

USAF, Army Integrate Air Defense Capabilities During Freedom Shield 26

Monday, April 20th, 2026

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) —

The 51st Security Forces Squadron and 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted joint training during exercise Freedom Shield 26 at Osan Air Base, March 9-13.

During the exercise, the 51st SFS and 35th ADA worked together to detect and respond to a simulated hostile drone approaching the installation, using a U.S. Army AN/TWQ-1 Avenger to identify, track and engage the simulated aerial threat.

“This training integrated Army air defense capabilities into the base defense plan,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ty Waits, Echo Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Avenger platoon leader. “By working alongside Air Force security forces, we ensure we can rapidly respond to aerial threats and protect the installation.”

The Avenger is a mobile air defense platform equipped with Stinger missiles designed to counter low-altitude threats, such as drones and aircraft.

Integrating the Avengers system into Osan’s defensive posture strengthens the base’s layered defense strategy.

“Our goal is to defend the installation against smaller aerial threats so higher-level systems can focus on larger threats,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christian Natal, 51st Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of wartime plans.

Natal emphasized the increasing prevalence of small unmanned aerial systems in modern conflicts, highlighting the importance that defenders train against them. Training scenarios like this ensure personnel can quickly detect, track and respond to potential unmanned aircraft incursions.

The training additionally emphasized the use of man-portable air defense teams, or MANPADs. If the Avenger platform becomes inoperable, the crews can remove the Stinger missile pods and deploy them as mobile teams capable of moving across the installation with security forces patrols.

This flexibility allows defenders to reposition quickly and maintain air defense coverage across the base.

Joint exercises like this strengthen coordination between U.S. Army and Air Force units and improve readiness against evolving threats.

“As drones and other unmanned systems become more common on the battlefield, training like this ensures we are prepared to defend the base and protect the mission,” Natal said. “Continued joint training helps ensure forces remain ready to respond to emerging threats in a dynamic security environment.”

By SSgt Tylir Meyer

51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Army, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Paratroopers Train with Anti-Drone Ammunition

Saturday, April 18th, 2026

US Army Soldiers assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps train and familiarize themselves with the 5.56mm L-variant Drone Round to counter small unmanned arial systems at Oak Grove Training Center, N.C., April 9, 2026. The 5.56mm L-variant Drone Round is designed to neutralize sUAS by volume of fire and projectiles.

US Army video by SGT Kamar Williams

Posted in Ammo, Army, C-UAS, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

US Army Selects Vector AI for Brigade Combat Teams

Friday, April 17th, 2026

Quantum Systems’ Vector AI will support U.S. Army modernization and future Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) capabilities for Brigade Combat Teams

Moorpark, California (USA), April 15, 2026 – Quantum Systems Inc., the US entity of Quantum Systems, today announced that Vector AI has been selected for the U.S. Army’s Company-Level sUAS Directed Requirement (DR) 2 initiative under a contract valued at $15.3 million. Vector AI will accelerate the delivery of advanced aerial intelligence capabilities to Brigade Combat Teams of the U.S. Army.

The effort is a key component of the Army’s modernization strategy to rapidly field commercially available unmanned systems to Soldiers while informing the development of its future Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program, which will define the next generation of tactical unmanned aircraft systems for maneuver units.

Vector AI was selected following a competitive evaluation process that assessed aircraft performance, payload integration, and interoperability with emerging Army software architectures. The program reflects the Army’s push to rapidly field operationally proven, commercially available systems that can evolve alongside future requirements while delivering immediate operational capability to forces at the tactical edge.

“Today’s battlefield demands unmanned systems that are adaptable, resilient, and proven in real-world operations,” said Dave Sharpin, CEO of Quantum-Systems Inc. “The Vector platform has logged more than 20,000 operational flight hours in Ukraine alone where operational use has helped refine its autonomy and mission adaptability in contested environments. Its modular architecture and open integration approach align directly with the Army’s push toward interoperable, rapidly evolving capabilities.”

Vector AI delivers real-time tactical intelligence to maneuver forces through an electric vertical take-off and landing design that combines runway-independent launch and recovery with the endurance and efficiency of fixed-wing flight. Deployable by a single operator in under five minutes, the compact system supports reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition through AI-enabled mission planning, advanced electro-optical sensing, and vision-based targeting.

Designed for contested environments, Vector AI incorporates anti-jamming features and a multi-layered GPS denied navigation stack to support visual navigation and precision targeting functionalities that work completely independently from GPS. Its modular, open architecture enables rapid payload integration and interoperability with external systems such as TAK and other battlefield management systems, enabling units to detect, track, and develop targets while maintaining situational awareness across the operational area.

Posted in AI / ML, Army, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on US Army Selects Vector AI for Brigade Combat Teams

US Army Best Ranger Competition Integrates Live Drone Threats in Historic First, Selects Powerus’ Tandem Defense Matrix-T for Targets

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Elite 75th Ranger Regiment teams train against real one-way attack drone threats using Powerus-backed Matrix-T platforms

Powerus recently announced a proposed merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AGH), positioning Powerus to become publicly traded upon completion

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. and FORT MOORE, Ga., April 15, 2026 — The battlefield has changed, and now, so has the U.S. Army’s toughest competition.

Powerus, through its wholly owned subsidiary Tandem Defense LLC, today announced that the Matrix-Ttarget drone was selected and successfully fielded for the inaugural “Last Line of Defense” training lane at the 42nd Annual U.S. Army David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition (April 10-12, 2026).

This marked the first time live FPV drones were integrated into the competition, introducing a new “Last Line of Defense” scored training lane in which elite Army Ranger teams were forced to detect, track, and destroy fast-moving aerial targets with direct fire from their service rifles. The addition of FPV target drones gave America’s premier Rangers realistic, high-fidelity training against modern one-way attack-drone threats, using an American-made FPV solution from Powerus.

The Matrix-T is a purpose-built small FPV target drone engineered specifically for U.S. military counter-drone training. It accurately replicates the speed, agility, and flight behavior of operational enemy FPV systems, mirroring modern battlefield warfare, and allowing U.S. troops to practice defeating dynamic aerial threats with service rifles when electronic warfare layers are degraded or unavailable. With top speeds up to 130 mph and 2 kg payload capacity, the Matrix-T delivers authentic threat emulation in a rugged, repairable, low-cost package.

Elite Validation and Proven Performance Under Extreme Conditions

The Best Ranger Competition is one of the most demanding tests of soldier performance in the U.S. Army. This year’s winners from the 75th Ranger Regiment demonstrated exceptional adaptability and precision under pressure.

Powerus and Tandem Defense supplied multiple Matrix-T drones to support approximately 40 elite Ranger teams. Only five drones were expended across the entire high-intensity event and rehearsals. Leveraging the innovative solder-free Matrix Architecture (developed by Tandem Defense), downed drones were rapidly diagnosed, repaired, and returned to flight using only a single screwdriver. This field repairability reduces the average cost-per-engagement for U.S. soldiers’ training, offering a dramatically more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable foreign systems.

The Matrix T performance underscores a critical reality: success on tomorrow’s battlefield will depend on the ability to counter drone threats at the individual soldier level.

Advancing American Military Readiness

By integrating the Matrix-T, the Best Ranger Competition set a new standard for counter-UAS training: shifting from static targets to fast-moving, realistic aerial threats that mirror those faced on today’s battlefields. Selecting a domestic, repairable platform reduces reliance on foreign supply chains and empowers soldiers to maintain their own training assets with minimal logistics support. The Matrix-T drones delivered realistic threat profiles, including: High-speed FPV attack runs, unpredictable maneuvering, and real-world engagement distances.

This forced competitors to adapt in real time, just as they would when layered counter-UAS defenses fail, and the individual soldier becomes the final line of defense.

“Matrix-T gives soldiers a low-cost way to train for the real fight,” said Brett Velicovich, founder of Powerus. “If you’re not training against realistic FPV drone threats, you’re not ready for today’s battlefield.”

Powerus congratulates the winners of the 2026 Best Ranger Competition: Sgt. Drew Schorsch and Spc. Caleb Godbold from the 75th Ranger Regiment. Their triumph, which is the Regiment’s sixth consecutive victory, exemplifies the skill and adaptability of America’s elite light infantry. The strong performance across all teams in the new drone defense lane further demonstrates the growing importance of realistic, hands-on counter-drone training.

Availability

The Matrix-T target drones are available for immediate purchase and ready to ship to U.S. military and allied units building or expanding counter-drone training programs. Units receive preprogrammed and pre-tuned systems, providing a reliable, fully domestic, and highly maintainable solution for preparing warfighters against proliferating one-way attack drones. Learn more at www.power.us or www.tandemdefense.com.

About Powerus
Powerus builds and scales unified autonomous systems architecture designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-risk environments. The company is building next-generation autonomous drone infrastructure and technologies for defense and critical infrastructure, positioning Powerus to support the rapidly expanding global demand for AI-enabled autonomy, defense systems, and modern battlefield capabilities. Production is scaled through U.S.-based manufacturing and strategic partners to support mission requirements. For more information, visit www.power.us.

Posted in Army, Drone, Press Release | Comments Off on US Army Best Ranger Competition Integrates Live Drone Threats in Historic First, Selects Powerus’ Tandem Defense Matrix-T for Targets